America's first Pokémon Go master is getting a free trip around the world

Applico Head of Platform and Pokémon Master Nick Johnson
David Won Ko
Last week, Brooklyn-based Nick Johnson, who happens to be a friend of mine, publicly declared himself to be the first Pokémon Go player to catch all of the 142 Pokémon that we know are available in the US.

That's why Johnson is taking a Pokémon journey around the world, so he can catch those three regionally exclusive monsters and complete his collection — with a free trip sponsored by Marriott Rewards and Expedia.

First, Johnson and his girlfriend will fly to Paris on Friday evening, with flights covered by Expedia, to catch Europe's exclusive Mr. Mime. A day later, they'll take off for Hong Kong in search of Farfetch'd, and then a day after that it's off to Sydney for two days to catch Australia's Kangaskhan.

Johnson says that he's going to be relying on each city's local Pokémon Go player community to point him toward each missing monster. While hunting for new Pokémon, he prefers not to use popular mapping tools like PokéVision.

"I will be scouring Reddit on my flight over and have a battle plan by the time I get there," Johnson told Business Insider. "I will travel across the land, searching far and wide. Basically."

Then, with his Pokémon collection complete (or at least as complete as possible), the couple will fly to Tokyo for a few days for a victory lap and some vacation time.

Each regionally exclusive Pokémon and where they can be found.
The Pokemon Company / Tech Insider

Marriott Rewards is covering the hotels in each city, and he'll be staying in style: the Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe, the Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View, Pier One Sydney Harbour, and the Tokyo Marriott Hotel.

At each stop, Johnson will be writing for Expedia's Viewfinder blog and doing media interviews. He says he'll also be sharing updates on his trip on Twitter and Snapchat. Here's his Snapchat QR code if you want to follow along:

Nick Johnson

Poké-celebrity

Johnson says that his Pokémon Go mastery has also made him something of a celebrity — he's been doing TV and newspaper interviews, including an appearance on "Good Morning America." An impressed Uber driver insisted on taking a selfie with Johnson so he could show his child.

Still, he says, the chance to go around the world and catch Pokémon is the craziest thing yet to happen.

"I get to travel the world and catch Pokémon!" Johnson exclaimed.

His company, tech startup Applico, is also enjoying the attention that Johnson's achievement has brought: Johnson did an interview with CBS New York at the office and gave a presentation on Pokémon Go at a company-sponsored event.

The Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe, Johnson's digs while in France.
Marriott

"We're a platform innovation company. We help build and scale platform businesses," Johnson said. "So my interest in the game is a natural extension of the work I do at Applico. And everything I've learned about these kinds of games while catching 'em all will directly translate to our work with clients."

In other words, Johnson didn't have any trouble getting time off for this adventure.

"At Expedia we are deeply passionate about travel and love how it has inspired Nick and players from all around the world to explore new places as they capture Pokémon. We're so happy to partner with Nick as he travels from continent to continent in his relentless effort to capture Mr. Mime, Farfetch'd and Kangaskhan," an Expedia spokesperson said.